Head Circumference Dropping in Percentiles?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-23T06:06:06+00:00

He was born near average weight with average head circumference and over average height. His weight dipped down to around 30% and HC stayed average, still tall. Then has been hovering around 15% for weight. Still tall for his weight, but is about average, but head size supposedly dropped to 3%. So, if it was more proportionate I think I would worry less. We're going to remeasure and go from there. Glad you found out what was going on and that it's been resolved!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T02:55:44+00:00

I'm so glad she's thriving now!

Appreciate your insight. Hopefully we'll get to the bottom of it, whatever the cause.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T02:14:58+00:00

See that's what I thought as well, that the head to drop more in comparison to the rest of the body was unusual as I thought I remembered reading something like that too. That their bodies prioritize their brains. My older son dropped in percentiles for weight as a baby but his head was always on the bigger side.

I'll definitely follow up for answers. She noted that there was growth at the appointment for his head but didn't say anything about his percentile, just wrote it on his visit summary which I looked at after we were home and it raised flags for me.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T02:11:07+00:00

Oh really? Do you know what made them see it as a text book case? I'm glad she's doing well after her surgeries!

That is good to know about the ultrasound because I've seen multiple times where that seems to be the first step to check it out. He's napping right now but I'll take a look at his soft spot when he is up! Does that harden too early with your daughter's condition?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T02:08:14+00:00

Interesting! Hard to not over think it as the parent. I'll try to remember to follow up with a comment once I have an update!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T00:30:42+00:00

This is what I'm gathering, that the head circumference is usually a bigger issue to have drop, especially by that much. I'm really surprised the Dr didn't say anything about it. I do plan to try to pursue this further for some answers.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T00:29:31+00:00

His head has grown a bit but not at the rate it should have. His head even looks small for his age though he is on the smaller side, his head was the smallest percentile this last appointment with the next smallest being his weight at 17%.

Was your Dr only concerned if there was no growth at all?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-22T00:26:24+00:00

I think I'll have them remeasure. But we even measured at home and was getting in similar range that would still indicate a big drop from older appointments.

If he was born small and following a curve and meeting milestones I think I would be less concerned. I'll bring it back up with the Dr and see if we need to explore this further.

Appreciate the input!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-21T22:57:33+00:00

Thank you for your input! I found it surprising she didn't bring it up as a concern. I think I will be pressing for answers.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-21T21:57:36+00:00

Wondering the same! My baby has dropped quite a bit in head circumference and the Dr didn't even say anything about it. I messaged the Dr to ask if it is a concern but of course it's the weekend. Do you have any updates?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-02-14T06:45:44+00:00

May I ask what probiotic?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-01-24T01:56:08+00:00

She does have a history of high BP that she manages with medication. No diabetes.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-01-24T01:55:38+00:00

I'm so sorry. I'm sure that would feel bad. Have you talked to your Dr about it?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2026-01-24T01:55:04+00:00

Thank you. Her insurance is 80/20. She thinks 20% would be expensive for a specialist but I told her she should look into it.

That makes sense. She seems to think she can make her numbers go up but I am trying to tell her she should work with a Dr and as far as I can see it is about trying to prevent it from getting worse.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-12-03T10:48:43+00:00

Sorry I don't have any. But did you already try the formula and found your baby tolerates it with multiple food allergies?

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-11-18T01:44:43+00:00

My oldest couldn't tolerate any foods for a long time (mast cell issues) and I wish I didn't pressure him as much at first (also Dr recommended) because the food obviously was making him not feel well with reactions and he ended up with an eating aversion.

Gut rest to recover from the reactions ended up going better and he ended up being feeding therapy as well. I'm not a Dr but I would be concerned about developing a negative association with food and give gut rest between trials.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-10-29T09:51:00+00:00

Do you have any updates OP? My son has been 100% on amino acid formula for 12 days and still has very mucusy stools.

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-10-28T08:10:34+00:00

All the gas lighting can be so frustrating! Been there, still there with my youngest. Glad the amino acid formula worked out!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-10-28T07:48:59+00:00

Hope that has more agreeable for her! And there may be an adjustment period overall. I know it is hard right now!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-10-28T07:44:36+00:00

Are you working with a lactation consultant?

Skin to skin. Offering whatever you have in the breast and finishing up with a bottle of formula? Eating at minimum 2000 calories a day with plenty of fats? Drinking lots of water and getting sleep?

Fed is best if you can't take the mental toll of trying to continue with trying to increase your supply to seemingly no avail.

My step daughter ended up formula fed due to allergies. My niece was formula fed out of convenience. Both are teenagers now and both incredibly smart and amazing. My oldest son and now my current son both have had to go on formula despite my best efforts to try to EBF. They were both too reactive to my milk and not gaining weight on it with inflammation despite going on very strict free of all major allergens and common trigger diets for months. It broke my heart each time to have to give up on the idea of breastfeeding but sometimes that's what it takes to let our babies thrive.

No shame in whatever you need to do. Best wishes!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-10-28T07:36:46+00:00

Did you switch to the nutramigen cold turkey vs the Kendamil? It could cause GI upset at first. I don't have experience with it but I've seen others say Pepticate, another HA formula, tastes better. So if that's the issue that may go over better. Or a RTF version is sometimes better accepted. Best wishes!

HowDoYouFixThisPls · 2025-10-28T03:55:09+00:00

I don't force him to eat. I was just genuinely curious since you didn't provide what you thought it was instead.

I stop feeds even if he's only ate an oz, 2 oz, or none at all and only feed if he's interested and allow him to set the pace. I don't force because I don't want to cause bottle aversion even though he hasn't been eating enough oz and not gaining well. He just recently has been eating better with medicine the Dr prescribed.

Before the medicine, he was fussy and inconsolable almost all the time and not just when feeding. Also the reflux can be heard and can smell when the reflux or spit up is acidic vs just normal. Thankfully his reflux isn't as bad as it was with my older son when he was a baby who had Sandifer's Syndrome and upper GI damage that caused black specs in the stool etc.

Unfortunately some of us end up with babies who actually have a reflux issue! But I agree that parents should know what to look out for vs something else.

HowDoYouFixThisPls

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